Which immune cells are primarily responsible for antibody production?

B lymphocytes, also known as B cells, are the immune cells primarily responsible for antibody production. These cells differentiate into plasma cells upon activation by antigens. Plasma cells synthesize and secrete antibodies, which are specific proteins that can recognize and bind to pathogens or foreign substances in the body. This antibody production is a key aspect of the adaptive immune response, as it provides a targeted attack against specific invaders.

B cells undergo a process known as clonal selection, where they are activated by recognizing a specific antigen with their unique B cell receptor. Once activated, they proliferate and differentiate into plasma cells, which produce large quantities of antibodies. This mechanism allows for a sustained and effective immune response against pathogens.

While T lymphocytes play a critical role in orchestrating the immune response and can help activate B cells, they do not produce antibodies themselves. Macrophages and dendritic cells are important in phagocytosing pathogens and presenting antigens to T cells but are not involved in the direct production of antibodies. Thus, B lymphocytes are uniquely essential for the synthesis and secretion of antibodies.